Apparatus for generating high-frequency electrical oscillations.



F. H. MILLENER.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, Hi2.

1,208,187. Patented Dec.12,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

llllli|l llwllllllr F. H. MILLENER.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATINGv HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1912. 1,208,187. Patented Dec. 12,1916.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FREDERICK HOYER MILLENEB, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12,1916.

Original application died April 10, 1911, Serial No. 820,085. Divided and this application filed November 7, 1912. Serial No. 780,022.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK HOYER MILLENER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Generating High-Frequency Electrical Oscillatlons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to apparatus for generating high frequency oscillations of electric current, and the present application is a division of application Serial No. (320,035, filed in my name on the 10th day of April, 1911, such division having been made upon requirement of the Patent Ofiice.

All patentable features disclosed but not claimed herein are reserved for said parent case.

The purpose of the invention is to produce such high frequency oscillations of electric current as adapt it to Wireless or ethereal transmission of energy, whether manifested in the form of power, sound, signals, or articulate speech.

The invention consists in apparatus hereinafter fully described, wherein are combined a source of electric current, electrodes included in circuit with said source and in arcing relation, and a gas generator having a gas-holding chamber within which said electrodes are contained, the are serving to impose upon or to produce in the current high frequency oscillations, and the gas serving to prevent hissing of the arc, and thus to render the current suitable to receive and transmit sound wave vibrations, and insure clear reproduction of articulate speech.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the application of my invention to wireless or ethereal telephony, I shall first describe the complete installation in order to make clear the operation, purpose and efiect of the specific matters herein claimed, and thereafter particularly describe such specific invention.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of the complete apparatus; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the hydrogen-generating apparatus within which is or are produced the are or arcs in the high frequency oscillation circuit; Fig. 3, an end elevation of the same; Fig. 4, a vertical, longitudinal section on the line vCD of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5, a transverse vertical section on the line A'-B of Fig. 2.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 indicates a positive conductor proceeding from a battery, generator, or other source, 2, of direct current. 3 indicates an inductively wound choke coil, introduced into the circult of sa1d generator or source of current to prevent the high frequency oscillations generated in said circuit as hereinafter explained, from flowing back into the dynamo,

attery, or other source of current.

4 indicates the primary coil or winding of a transformer, one end of which is connected with or forms a, continuation of the conductor 1, and the other end of which passes to, or is electrically connected with, a positive electrode 5, here represented as of cylindrical form, and designed to be rotated by any suitable mechanism or means. The electrode 5, as also the companion electrode 7, 1s arranged within a chamber 14 containing a cooling liquid, 6, in which the elec-' trode 5 is partially immersed. The electrode 7 passes through and is insulated from a wall of the chamber 14, and is electrically connected with a variable resistance 9, one extremity of which is electrically connected through one winding of the choke coil 3 and a conductor 10 with the negative brush or terminal of the enerator or source, 2, of current. The positive electrode 5 may be of any electrically conductive substance, but in practice I have found copper to give very good results. The electrode 7 may similarly be of any electrically conductive solid, but is preferably of carbon.

The cooling liquid, 6, is introduced into the chamber 14 by a pipe or tube 6' enterin at or near the bottom of the chamber, an is prevented from rising above a predetermined level by an outlet pipe or tube 6", the upper end of which rises to the desired level of the liquid, and is left open to permit the free escape of any liquid rising above such level. In practice, it is found expedient to establish this level about one-half inch, more or less, below the axis of the rotary electrode 5.

Whenthe apparatus is in operation, the electrode 7 is caused to make contact with the electrode 5, and is then separated therefrom a suitable distance, causing an arc to form between the two, as indicated at 8 in Fi '1.

l lVithin the chamber 14 are two upright tubes or containers 11 and 12, preferably of BEST AVAILABLE COP glass, though other insulating or non-conducting material may be employed. These tubes or containers are connected one with the other at their lower ends, the upper end of the tube 11 passing through and rising above the chamber 14 where it is open to the atmosphere, and the tube 12 terminating within the chamber 14 at a point some distance above the level of the liquid (3.

13 indicates a reservoir for containing an electrolyte, which may advantageously be potassium hydrate. This reservoir communicates at its lower end with the tubes 11 and 12, or with the electrolyte container connecting them, so that the electrolyte shall maintain a common level in said tubes and reservoir. That portion of the inlet or connecting pipe which passes from the reservoir 13 through the wall of and into the chamber 1 1, should be made of non-conducting material, or should be electrically insulated from the wall and contents of the chamber, and must, of course, make a liquid-tight joint with said casing.

15 and 16 represent electrodes, preferably of platinum, arranged respectively within the tubes 11 and 12, and immersed wholly or partially in the electrolyte standing in said tubes. These electrodes are included in a shunt circuit comprising a conductor 1 leading from a point on the positive conductor 1 between the source, 2, of current and the choke coil 3, to the electrode 15, said electrode 15, the electrolyte, electrode 16, a conductor 16 passing from said electrode 16 through and insulated from a wall of the chamber 14, a variable resistance 17 with one terminal of which said conductor 16 is electrically connected, and a wire or conductor 17 electrically connected with the negative conductor 10 at a point between the generator or source, 2, of current and choke coil 3, and having a variable connection of any usual type with the resistance 17. The office of the variable resistance 17 is to control the current flowing through the shunt circuit and through the electrolyte in the tubes 11 and 12.

The details of construction of the hydrogen generator will be more fully described after explanation of the remaining portions of Fig. 1.

till referring to said Fig. 1, 20 indicates the secondary coil of a transformer, the primaryel of which is included in the energizing circuit, as above mentioned. One terminal of the coil 20 is grounded at 18 through a variable condenser 19, while its other terminal connects with one extremity of a variable inductance 21 electrically connected with a variable condenser 22, in turn electrically connected with antennae 23, the variable contact or connection with inductance 21 being made in any customary way.

24 and 25 indicate condensers, each of,

preferably, two microfarad capacity. Condenser 24 is included in a conductor 24 branched from conductor 1 at a point between the choke coil 3 and the primary 4 of the transformer, and condenser 25 is included in a conductor 25 similarly led from conductor 10 at a point between the choke coil 3 and variable resistance 9, the conductors 24 and 25 beyond said condensers being bridged or connected by the secondary coils 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 of open-core transformers, which coils are arranged in iarallel. The primary coils 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 of these open-core transformers are similarly arranged in parallel between the positive and negative conductors of a battery or other source, 38, of electric current, each bridge or cross connection through the primary coils being made through or including a megaphone 45, and a very low resistance, air-cooled transmitter, said transmitters being indicated at 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44.

The megaphone 45 consists of a flaring horn of metal, preferably solid brass, highly polished on its interior surface,andasmaller mouthpiece, preferably the common stand ard hard rubber mouthpiece, the two suitably joined at their smaller ends, or at the point indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The purpose of the mouthpiece is to gather and concentrate the sound waves produced by the voice of the person speaking, and to direct them into and through the megaphone or horn, wherein, by reason of the successive reflections of the sound waves from side to side of the horn or funnel, and the vibration or molecular action set up in the walls of the megaphone, the sound is amplified or strengthened. While the true cause of such amplification of the sound is a matter more or less in doubt. the fact that such effect produced is well established and recognized by physicists.

It will thus be seen that the telephone circuitis made up of six couples, each couple consisting of a low resistance microphone and the primary of a transformer coupled in series with each other, these six couples being connected in parallel between the terminals of a local battery or other source of energy, while the secondaries of these transformers are all connected in parallel through two two-microfarad condensers to the negative and positive sides of the high frequency circuit, before the wires pass to the large re or arc electrode or electrodes.

l'nc microphone consists of six air-cooled, very low resistance transmitters and six open-core transformers. all the primary windings of which contain the same ohmic resistance and the same number of turns of the same size and kind of wire, and all the secondary windings of which similarly contain like ohmic resistance, and are made up 1,808,187 I v a w y of a like number of turns of wire of' the. same size and kind. In other words, the

Y' severaI induction coils are of identical construction.

Having thus described the general construction and arrangement of parts, and before describing their operation, the details of construction of the hydrogen generator will be explained in connection with Figs. 2,

3, 4 and 5; As shown in said figures, this I apparatus consists of a cylindrical vessel or chamber with a suitable base or support, and with fiat vertical walls. Passing axially through said-chamber, and insulated from driving rim or ring 63" carried by an insu-- lalting disk 64, secured by set screws or equivalent means to the shaft 63. Said shaft 63 carries at its opposite end a cylindrical hub or contact 48, upon which rests a conducting brush'47 carried in a suitable support 46, said brush being electrically con: nected through the primary 4 of the trans former and the choke coil 3, with the posi- I tive conductor 1 of the generator or source,

2, of current.

The electrode 7 passes through a sleeve 55, having on its exterior a fine thread, to permit it to screw through a block carried by a plate 56 supported upon but insulated from the top wall of the chamber 14, the insulation being indicated at 64, which designation applies to insulation wherever appearing in these drawings. The fine thread permits accurate adjustment of the electrode 7. The sleeve 55 is provided with a flange or enlargement 53 at a point somewhat above plate 56, which flange forms the support or bearing for a spring 57, which encircles a reduced portion of said sleeve 55, and bears at its upper end beneath a nut or collar 54 screwed or adjustably mounted upon the upper portion of the electrode 7. By properly adjusting the nut or collar 54, the normal separation of the lower extremity of the electrode 7 from the electrode 5 may be determined, the spring when fully extended holding the electrode 7 at the desired arcing distance from the companion electrode. As the electrode 7 is capable of moving through the sleeve 55, though fitting quite closely therein in order to prevent escape of gas from chamber 14, it may be pressed down in opposition to the lifting force of, spring 57, in order to establish contact of the electrodes preparatory to strikin the arc.

For the purpose 0 permitting the electrode 7 to be shifted in the direction of the axis of the electrode 5, and thereby to permit the entire surface of the latterto be utilized progressively, the plate 56 is slidably mounted upon the top .wall of chamber 14, and the opening in the top of said chamber through which the electrode passes is enlarged sufficiently to permit a considerable range of movement of the electrode 7 in the direction indicated. The motor or driving mechanism 60 is designed to give a slow rotary movement to shaft 63 and electrode 5, the brush 47 and hub. 48 maintaining electrical contact and preserving connection with the source of energy at all times.

In Figs. 2 and 4 I have shown a vent cook 58, which may be opened to permit escape of air or gas from chamber 14; and to permit inspection of the are at any time, a window 59 of smoked or colored glass is provided. Binding posts 61 and 62, the former carried by the upper end of tube 11, and the latter carried by but insulated from the wall of chamber 14, serve respectively to make proper connection between the electrodes 15 and 16 and the conductors 1' and 16.

The apparatus being constructed as above set forth, and arranged as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the generator 2, or other source of electric energy, being put in action, the operation is as follows: Electrode 7 is pressed into contact with electrode 5, and permitted to separate therefrom a predetermined distance underthe influence of spring 57, thereby striking the are, 8, which thereafter continues, the motor 60 causing the electrode 5 to rotate slowly, and thus to present a constantly changing surface in opposition to the electrode 7, lessening the liability of the formation of globules, or the roughening, pitting, or changing of the surface of said electrode 5, and consequently lessening the danger of varying the length of the arc with resultant change of potential in the arc circuit. At the same time the direct current flowing through the shunt circuit, including the electrodes 15 and 16 and the electrolyte 13, will by its electrolytic action decompose the electrolyte, and liberate oxygen at the electrode or anode 15 and hydrogen'at the electrode or cathode 1 6. The hydrogen rising in and escaping at the top of tube 12, will fill the chamber 14 above the electrolyte, and hence will envelop the are 8, thus preventing the hissing sound occasioned when the arc burns in the presence of 0xygen, or in the open air. This effect of a hydrogen atmosphere is well known, but so far as I am aware no one has heretofore utilized the electric current or energy employed in producing the high frequency oscillations to generate or liberate the gas for this purpose. The oxygen rises through the tube 11, and escapes to the atmosphere, said tube and the contained electrolyte precluding the entrance of oxygen into the chamber 14. The cooling of the electrode 5, as above described, materially contributes to the maintenance of a smooth or unchanging surface thereon, and thus further insures the uniform length of arc and constant difference of otential. The energizing direct current owing from the source 2, through the choke coil 3, primary 4, electrodes 5 and 7 and their intervening are 8, resistance 9, and choke coil 3, back to the source of energy, sets up in the primary 4 of the transformer a high frequency alternating current. This is stepped up throu h the primary of the transformer into the ighly wound secondary 20 of said transformer, which has a closed magnetic circuit energized by an electromotive force of 220 volts, more or less, of direct current supplied by the generator or source, 2, in the-energizing circuit. This high frequency alternating current reaches back to the choke coil 3, which, however, precludes the passage of the high "frequency oscillations back to the dynamo, "battery, or other source, 2, of energizing current, and it is upon this portion of the energizing circuit that the microphone transmitter is imposed, or with which it is placed in circuit. These microphones and the transmitters and transformers, modulate and transform from ten to eighteen amperes of current, producing undulations which are imposed on the oscillating circuit through the condensers 24 and 25. Upon talking into the mouthpiece of the microphonewhile the transformer and choke coil circuit is energized, speech is transmitted through the secondary 20, inductance 21, and variable condenser 22, to the antenna, and through the variable condenser 19 to'the earth, and thus radiated into space in the form of waves.

It will thus be seen that I have produced a complete, self-contained apparatus for the wireless transmission of energy, and its .translation at a distant point or points through a suitable receiving and trans ating device, all the parts of which cooperate to the attainment of the one final and unitary result, and which in practice I have found to be highly satisfactory and efficient.

In the foregoing description, I have mentioned potassium hydrate as the electrolyte, and hydrogen as the neutral gas to be liherated within the arc-containing chamber, and this is the preferred embodiment of my invention, but obviously any other neutral gas, capable of being generated or liberated throug electrolytic action upon a suitable electrolyte, may be employed, my invention in this respect consisting broadly in supplying the gas through electrolytic action, the

electric current for which is diverted from the main energizing circuit. By this means a self-contained apparatus is produced, and the generation or liberation of gas is coincident with the energizing of the main circuit employed to set up the high frequency oscillations.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An apparatus for generating high frequency electric oscillations, comprising a source of electric current; a conducting circuit therefor; a transformer having its primary winding included in said circuit; a choke coil included in said circuit between the source of energy and said primary coil; arc electrodes also included in said circuit at a point between the primary coil and the choke coil; and a gas generator within which the arc electrodes are located, said generator comprising a closed chamber, an electrolyte container within said chamber having u ward extensions, one openin within t e chamber and the other extending through a wall of the chamber'and opening outside thereof, electrodes contained within said extensions, and a shunt circuit branching from the conducting circuit of the source of current, and including said electrodes.

2. In apparatus for generating high frequency electric oscillations, com rising a source of electric energy, a con uctor between the terminals thereof, a choke coil, a pair of arcing electrodes included in the electric circuit, and an inclosin for said electrodes; an electrolytic erator within said chamber, comprisin an electrolyte container, an electrolyte within said container, and a pair of electrodes immersed in said electrolyte and included in a shunt circuit bridging the main energizing circuit at a point between the source of electric energy and the choke coil.

3. In apparatus for generating high frequency electric oscillations, the combination of a source of electric current; conductors for said current; a rotatable electrode in circuit with said conductors; a second electrode in arcing relation to the first and alsoiin circuit with said conductors; a shunt circuit bridging said conductors; two electrodes included in the shunt circuit; and electrolyte container having separate tubes in which said electrodes are located in position to enter an electrolyte therein; and a shell or casing encompassing the several electrodes, and serving to confine a neutral gas, liberated by electrolytic action.

4. In an apparatus for generating high frequency electric oscillations, the combination of a source of current; a pair of electrodes in arcing relation in circuit with said source; means for cooling one of said electrodes; a casing encompassing said electrodes; an electrol tic gas generator within said casing, including two electrodes; and a shunt circuit bridging the circuit wires of the arcing conductors, and including the electrodes of the gas generator.

chamber gas gen- 5. In an apparatus for generating high frequency electric oscillations, the combination of an energized electric circuit; means, including arcing electrodes, for generating oscillations in said circuit; an inclosing casing for said electrodes; a shunt from the main circuit; electrodes included in said shunt; and an electrolyte into which said shunt electrodes extend, whereby a neutral gas is generated and supplied to the chamber containing. the arcing electrodes, by the same current which energizes the arc circuit.

6. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a source of electric energy; a conducting circuit therefor; means for imposing upon said circuit high frequency oscillations, said means including a pair of electrodes in arcing relation; an inclosing chamber for said electrodes; and an electrolytic gas generator arranged to deliver a neutral gas into said chamber, and having its electrodes in shunt relation to the main energizing circuit.

7. The herein described method of suppressing the hissing of an are included in a ing the hissing of arcing electrodes in a space transmission system, which consists in diverting a portion of the energizing current through electrodes immersed in an electrolyte, thereby liberating a neutral gas and causing it to envelop the arc; and simultaneously cooling one of the electrodes.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK HOYER MILLENER.

Witnesses S. J. PETERSON, F. J. GRIFFIN. 

